Parenting

Thursday, August 20

My daughter starts kindergarten this year. We have decided to homeschool. This year. Just meaning I have no earthly idea if either one of us will take to it so I have no expectations whatsoever of what we'll do next year. But since we are doing it this year, I'm needing to get things in order around here.I've been caught up in researching our teaching/learning materials and haven't thought much about preparing my daughter for the event. She's never been to preschool so the whole concept of school (except, of course, for her experience in our one-morning-a-week co-op last year) is still foreign to her. And homeschool is foreign to me. I think we both need something special to kick off the new year.I prepared the idea for this back-to-school scavenger hunt for the Celebrations radio show, but didn't have a chance to share it. I've decided to use it with my daughter, whom I expect will be thrilled. Ours will, of course, be the start-of-school version.Here you go....

Collect some of the items your child will need for school: pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, maps, book (on a topic they've chosen to study or one you know they'd enjoy reading), homemade reusable sandwich/snack bags, lunch bag, thermos or water bottle, interesting ribbon or key chain for house key, favorite snack, bracelet, socks, tiny tissue pack, markers, clay, paint, etc .Find a school-related image (books, bus, globe, crayons, map, school building, etc.) online or scan one into your computer then print out several small copies onto cardstock. Cut them out and fold like cards or leave them flat like postcards. Use these for your scavenger hunt clues.Hide the supplies/gifts around your house or outdoors and create clues to lead your child on a hunt for each item. Provide your child with something for collecting her goodies or lead her 1st to a new school bag or box.Print or write your clues inside or on the back of your clue cards. Be cute and simple.Example: I'll carry water or milk for you to drink. Look for me under your kitchen sink. (New drinking bottle in the play kitchen).Monster, bug or bike. Sculpt me how you'd like. Stretch me, roll me, push me, pull me. Find me next to your blanket that's woolly. (New clay hiding on the bed).After your child has collected all her new items, help her open them and prepare them for school, putting in her bag or arranging in her home study space.

If you're thinking of going green this school year, here's a short list of resources.

26 comments:

moomer
said...

I always loved the start of a new school year, as a child AND as a mom. Now I'm excited as the nanna of a homeschool kindergartner! The scavenger hunt idea is fabulous...even more so for being eco-friendly.

We home school too, this will be the start of our second year. We are trying out an adapted version of the workbox system this year to keep more organized. You can read more about it at Our Nifty Note Book blog. She started school this week. Good luck and I think you will enjoy it!

I was homeschooled from Kindergarten through high school. Loved it! I hope you do too!

And here's what my mom says to people just starting out: remember that you've already been homeschooling throughout your little one's life so far! All that they know, you've taught them. And one other piece of advice: don't try to do too much. You'll all be happier.

very nice blog. I found it whilest looking for plum pudding recipes...grin...and here you are! Not quite what I was looking for but what a great place you have here. I am just sending my one and only off to university this year...and you have one off to kindergarten. Sigh....hits me like a ton of bricks how quickly time flies. Anyway...great blog...great links to recipe sites...I find similar connections everywhere I go and many of your favorites are mine as well. All the best! feel free to come on by sometime...I love to cook, write and just journal....

wonderful post. our daughter starts K this year too and i am so nervous about it and wanting to research homeschool options, if for no other reason than for how we can supplement and support her education at home.

I was homeschooled off and on myself, and now we homeschool our four kids. We started our daughter in public kindergarten, 5 year ago, and regretted it almost immediately. She went for 3 months before my husband begged me to pull her out.(And he was initially opposed to homeschooling!) Now we're having a blast!! There are hard days, but it is SO worth it. I just can't stress that enough! :-)

It was so great hanging out with you megan and jess last week! As I mentioned, my friend write an awesome blog re: Homeschooling her 8 kids and more. her website is...http://www.preschoolersandpeace.com/

Love this idea! I have high hopes for homeschooling, and so many ideas that I need to sit down and start getting them organized NOW - and the little one is only two. Anyway. Love this idea, and linked to it on my weekly roundup (post is here. Thanks so much for sharing! (Which reminds me - I need to leave a link on your bath toys post to the fishing game I made from your idea!)

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